UK weather sees snow and ice warnings in place with motorists left stranded in icy blast expected to continue today

Mountain rescue teams were called in to help stranded drivers after heavy snow showers across Scotland and 'life-threatening' winds wreaked havoc across Britain

By Neal Baker

17th January 2018, 6:00 am

Updated: 18th January 2018, 4:46 am

MOUNTAIN rescue teams have been called in after motorists were left stranded in snow and icy conditions overnight.

Drivers reported being trapped in their cars for up to 13 hours on the M74 after heavy snow battered roads, with temperatures dipping below freezing overnight and snow piling up to 15inches in Dumfries and Galloway.

Dumfries & Galloway VOST

Drivers were stranded on the M74 overnight with the Met Office releasing an amber alert

The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" warnings of snow and ice for south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland until 8am, and hundreds of schools are expected to be closed today in response to the extreme conditions.

Meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "There have been plenty of heavy snow showers, particularly across Scotland. It's pretty bleak out there in some places. A good chunk of the UK is effectively covered by snow and ice warning this morning."

Looking ahead for Wednesday, he added: "It is going to be quite windy as low pressure pushes through tonight and that could bring some snow across parts of Scotland and in particular northern England."

Traffic Scotland closed parts of the motorway in Lanarkshire in both directions due to wintry conditions for a number of hours - with tailbacks stretching back for six miles.

It comes after severe 80mph winds were predicted to sweep in from the Atlantic last night as the Met Office's Irish counterpart named the sixth storm of the winter Storm Fionn.

More than a foot of snow was recorded in Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway last night, Glenanne in Co Armagh had 9inches, while Tulloch Bridge in Inverness saw 8inches of snow overnight with temperatures as low as -4C, forecasters said.

Elsewhere across England and Wales, the mercury did not reach above 2C.

Motorists have reported being stuck in their cars for hours, with heroic passersby even forced to push and tow a stranded ambulance after it got stuck in a snow-covered street in West Yorkshire.

Wintry conditions on many roads throughout the country this morning. Please take care if driving and leave yourself plenty of time for your journey. Please also keep distance between you and the vehicle in front even on roads that appear to be clear.

Conditions for travel this morning remain extremely poor. M74 southbound, J 9-12 and J 16-13 northbound have been affected with drivers becoming stuck. Police Scotland advising motorists to avoid this particular area of the M74. Further updates will be provided.

Traffic battles through a blizzard on the A9 near Inverness as snow returns to Scotland

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The Inverness to Edinburgh train battles through the snow at Culloden near Inverness

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Some are getting enjoyment out of the wintry weather, like here in Airdrie, Scotland

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A farm house blanketed by overnight snow near Longdon Beck, as dawn breaks in the North Pennines

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Heavy snow on the A9 in Perthshire, as parts of the country were blanketed in a layer of snow

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A car on the side of the A9, near the junction for Braco and Greenloaning in Scotland

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A postal worker makes a collection from a post box in Ballyoukan near Pitlochry, in Scotland

Police Scotland warned there is a high risk of disruption for journeys and said drivers of HGVs should drive with extreme caution.

Police cautioned: "Winter driving is a question of common sense and drivers should ask themselves if they really need to travel when conditions are poor.

"If you are travelling on the roads, you should ensure you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the conditions, making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours."

Yesterday, temperatures dropped to between 0C-2C (32F-36F). Tulloch Bridge in Scotland, had the largest snowfall with 8cm coming down overnight.

Gritters are out in force across Scotland with pictures on social media showing particularly difficult driving conditions on the M8 near Easterhouse.

Forecasters warned the winds could reach 70mph across northern England and Wales on Wednesday evening - and potentially could be another named storm.

Mr Burkill added: "Once that clears out, we will return to frequent showers pushing in from the north west through Thursday and Friday."